Tire-chain tightener and lock



March 2 1926.

1,575,546 W. O. CCLBURN TIRE cnuu 'rma'rsnsn AND LOCK Filed June a, 1925 Wi t nus latter.

Patented Mar. 2, 1926 0 FFlC E WALTER COLBURN OF BANGOR, MAINE.

TIRE-CHAIIQ' TIGHTENEB AND LOCK.

Application filed. June 8, 1925. Serial No. 35,784.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER O. CoLnUnN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bangor, in the county of Penobscot and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tire-Chain 'lighteners and Locks; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for connecting the ends of chains,

and such invention is intended primarily for use in connection with the side chains of anti-skid devices for vehicle wheels, the object being to provide a simple and inexpensive device of this character which may be used to effectively tighten side chains, connect the ends of the chains, and securely lock them against separation.

\Vith the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinat ter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the aceompanylng drawing. 9

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are side elevations showing different positions of parts from the time of initially engaging the device with the end of a chain, to the time in which the device is completely locked.

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of the two main parts of the device, hereinafter described. 1

In the drawing above briefly described, the numeral 1 designates an elongated plate, one end of which is directly connected with one end 2 of a chain. At its other end, the plate 1 is provided with a link-receiving notch 8 opening through one of its edges,

and is also formed with an oblique slot 4 which is in converging relation with the notch 3, toward the open outer end of the The above named edge of the plate 1 is also formed, near the first named end of said plate, with an angular or substantially L-shaped notch 5 whose inner end 6 extends toward the slotted end of the plate.

A channel-shaped lever 7, preferably bent from suitable gauge sheet metal, is provided with parallel side flanges 8 adapted to straddle the plate 1, and through one end of these flanges, a rivet or other pin 9 passes, said pin also passin slidably through the slot 4. The free edges of the flanges 8 are formed, near the pivoted end of said flanges,

with. link-receiving notches 10, and the flange connecting portion 11 of the lever 7 is provided with a longitudinal slot 12 near the free end of said lever, so that the outer extremity 130i said flange-connecting portion, may be received in the angular notch 5, the portion of the platel adjacent the notch, then passing through the slot 12 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

With the parts related as shown in Fig. 1, the lever 7 ispassed through a link 14 ot' the chain and said link is seated in the notches 10. Then, the lever is swung inwardly until the portion 13 thereof enters the notch 5 and is in readiness to slide inwardly in the inner end 6 of said notch, as

shown in Fig. 2. When this relation of parts exists, sliding of the lever 7 with 1espect to the plate 1 is permitted, and the device then assumes the final locking position shown inFig. 3, in which position, the ends of the chain are effectively connected against separation. To release the device, it is simply necessary to restore the parts to the relation shown in Fig. 2, whereuponthe lever 7 may be swung outwardly and withdrawn from the link 14. i

As excellent results are obtainable from the details disclosed, they are preferably followed. However, within the scope of the invention as claimed, modifications may of course be made.

I claim:

1. A chain tightener and lock comprising an elongated plate having one end adapted for connection to one end of a tire chain, the other end of said plate having a link-receiving notch in one ed e, said edge being also formed with an angular notch whose inner end extends toward said other end of the plate, a channel-shaped lever having longitudinal side flanges straddling said plate and having link receiving notches, and a pin and slot connection between one end of said flanges and said other end of .the plate, the slot being in converging relation with the link-receving notch of the plate, the flangeconnecting portion of the lever having a slot to receive the portion ofthe plate adjacent said angular notch, permitting the outer end of said flange-connecting portion to enter said angular notch.

2. A chain tightener and lock comprising an elongated plate having one end adapted for fixed connection to one end of a tire chain, the other end of said plate havinga ill!) link-receiving notch in one edge, said edge also being formed with a substantially L- shaped notch Whose inner end extends toward said other end of the plate, a channclshaped lever having longitudinal side flanges straddling said plate and having link-receiving notches, and a pin and slot connection between one end of said flanges and said other end of the plate, the slot being in converging relation Witlithe link-receiving notch of the plate, the flange-connecting portion of the lever having a slot to receive the portion of the plate adjacent said l -shaped notch, said channel-sha md lever being then shiftable longitudinally of the plate to engage the outer end of the flange-connecting portion in the inner end of the L-shaped notch and to permit seating oi'a chain link in the first named notch.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

LTER O- O 

